Ellis received a $1 million buyout in lieu of his $5.75 million club option. The 36-year-old batted .270/.323/.351 with six home runs and 48 RBI over 126 games this season. The decision doesn’t come as a big surprise after the Dodgers signed Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero to a four-year, $28 million contract earlier this month, but it’s possible that Ellis could return in a lesser role if he is unable to find a starting gig elsewhere.

Capuano’s contract had an $6 million mutual option, so the Dodgers bought out their side for $1 million. The 35-year-old left-hander is coming off a 4.26 ERA and 81/24 K/BB ratio over 105 2/3 innings this season. While he bounced back and forth from the rotation to the bullpen in 2013, he’ll undoubtedly look for an opportunity to start now that he’s on the open market.

Guerrero likely will be an upgrade at 2nd. Juan Uribe comes off the books, so third base is open. Ricky Nolasco (31 at start of spring training), Edinson Volquez (30), Jerry Hairston (37), Nick Punto (36) and Skip Schumaker (34) are all free agents. Do any deserve a new contract?

Do the Dodgers pursue a FA to fill the opening at 3rd long-term or a short-term fill-in while Corey Seager makes the transition from SS in the minors? Alex Santana is another big SS doing well in the minors who could eventually shift to 3rd.

There are options in the minors to fill the utility roles, but not many. The majority of prospects nearest to big-league level play are pitchers such as Zach Lee and Chris Reed. Six of the team’s top 10 in the minors are pitchers, thus the possibility Ned Colletti addresses need through trades.

There’s interest in Masahiro Tanaka (24-0 with a 1.27 ERA in Japan last season), but they’ll be bidding against the Athletics, Giants, Rangers, Red Sox, and Yankees.

The team needs to get younger, whether through promotion from the minors or trades, as well as deeper. Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp getting healthy certainly won’t hurt.

Mark Ellis had similar production to Phillips this season, and the Dodgers don’t want him for $5 million. Who is going to give up prospects for the privilege of paying Phillips $12.5 million per year for the next four seasons?